Spec for spec I'm sure there are comparable bikes out there from every brand. Even the tires are easily replaced if I really wanted to. I think what I like was positioning on the frame, and the sales guy at the shop said there was a distinct difference between the two frames. In reading another thread on here about the Sirrus, sounds like that bike is more than capable of doing what I need it to do...and many riders are pushing it beyond the commuting functionality to some longer road trips. It has got me rethinking. Good thing I do my research because I've never been convinced that the Giant Rapid was the only option...but then as I researched it started looking like it was in a class of its own? Perhaps I am overlooking the road functionality of the Sirrus and VFR? My fear was getting stuck with a hybrid and wishing I had bought a road bike a year or two down the road.